Variable enabler for acoustic torpedoes



Oct. 28, 1952 Filed Nov. 21, 1946 T. A. DALY ET AL VARIABLE ENABLER FOR ACOUSTIC TORPEDOES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 To Power n r Comro/ WITNESSES:

INVENTORS Mamas/l. 24/] 4/70 gar/y A 677/ M6,

ATTORNEY T. A. DALY ET AL VARIABLE ENABLER FOR ACOUSTIC TORPEDO 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 21, 1946 lNVENTORS 7720mm A.

WITN ESSES:

004/404 BY f/arry/ifik/l fwra MM ATTORNEY Oct. 28, 1952 T. A. DALY ET AL VARIABLE ENABLER FOR ACOUSTIC TORPEDOES 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 21, 1946 un umuu lmu (a INVENTORS Mamas Aifi HHII II IIIHHII llllllllllllfl my A. @w/

ATTORNEY Oct. 28, 1952 T. A. DALY ET AL VARIABLE ENABLER FOR ACOUSTIC TORPEDOES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 21, 1946 INVENTOR s Tho/7m; 4. fia/y 4/70 470/17 A 6/7/ Puff W WITNESSES:

ATTORNEY Patented Get. 28, 1952 grail VARIABLE ENABLER FER ACOUSTIC TORPEDOES Thomas A. Daly and Harry A. Gill, Sharon, Pa, assignors, by mcsne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy 8 Claims. i

This invention relates to a torpedo control device, and, more particularly, to a control device which will enable certain control features of a torpedo to become operative at a predetermined distance from its point of firing.

In electrically-driven torpedoes, the use of gyroscopic and depth control devices for directing the torpedo to a selected target is well known. However, where such devices alone are used, the

striking of a target is dependent upon the initial setting of the control devices in the torpedo before it is fired. in order to increase the accuracy of'firing, the use of automatic tracking mechanism, and, more particularly, acoustically operated tracking mechanism, has been proposed. Such tracking mechanism has certain inherently dangerous features in that its control is apt to take over and direct the torpedo to an unselected target, and in some cases, might possibly return the torpedo to the ship from which it was fired.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to provide a control device by which the point at which the acoustic control mechanism takes over may be accurately predetermined before the firing of the torpedo.

A further object is to provide a control device by which the controlling mechanism of the torpedo will be rendered operative after the torpedo has traveled a predetermined distance.

A further object is to provide, in a torpedo having propelling mechanism and acoustic tracking means, a control device which is positively operated by the torpedo propelling mechanism and which is actuated at a predetermined distance of torpedo travel to render operative the acoustic tracking means.

Still another object is to provide a control device of the character referred to which may be manually adjusted before the torpedo is placed in the firing tube, or may be remotely adjusted after the torpedo is positioned in its tube for firing. I

Another object is to provide a control device of the character referred to which is operative to prevent the torpedo from returning to the ship from which it is fired.

Another object is to provide a control device which will render the warhead exploder inoperable until the torpedo has traveled a preset distance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings, there is shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure l is a partial sectional view'of 'a torpedo in its firing tube, parts thereof being illustrated diagrammatically to illustrate the principles of this invention,

Fig. 2 is an exploded view diagrammatically illustrating the essential parts of the control mechanism, I

Fig. 3 is a front elevational View of the control device as viewed in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5'is an end elevational view of the control device from the left as viewed in Fig. 3, v

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line vI vI of Fig. 3,

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line VII Vii of Fig. 3,

8 is a top plan view of the control device shown in Fig. 3, v 1

Fig. 9 is a. sectional view taken along the line Ely-1X of Fig. 8 showing clutching'means to the propelling shaft, and

Fig. 10 is an end view of the precision wound receiving potentiometer shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 1, the letter A designates a 'tube having a torpedo B mounted therein in position for firing. The torpedo B is provided with a. main motor C fordriving propellers D through a drive'shaft E. The torpedo is also, provided with control, mechanism F for controllingits operation and directingits path of travel to a target. The operation and construction of'the control mechanism F forms no part, per se, of this invention, this invention dealing primarily with the control device G mounted on one end of the drive shaft of the motor G. The control device G shown connected with the control mechanism F by a cable H and through this cable performs its control function. The control 49 device G is also remotely connected by a cable I a certain bridge circuit is unbalanced.

in Fig. 2 is shown the essential parts of the control device G. In this showing, the numeral l designates a cam shaft having cams.2., S'and l mounted thereon. These cams, respectively,

50 are adapted to operate switches 5, 8 and l for effecting control of the control mechanism Fin a manner to be described. A manually operable dial'B is provided for adjusting the positions of the control cams. The dial 8 is graduated from 5 zero to 4,000 yards and is shown in its zero posi 3 tion with the control cams in positions closing the switches 5 and 6, and the switch I in open position.

A gear drive is provided for operating the cam shaft I and comprises a worm wheel 9 which meshes with a Worm gear I driven by a shaft from worm wheel I I which meshes with a worm gear I2. The cam shaft I may be operated by the torpedo propulsion motor C through a cen-' trifugal clutch I3 after firing of the torpedo, orthrough a remote-setting motor I4 prior to firing of the torpedo. The cam shaft I is formed of two parts which are splined together as at I5 in order that the end It of the cam shaft may be moved axially to disengage the worm wheel 9 from its worm gear I 0 to permit manual setting of the cam shaft I. In order to manually set the position of the cam shaft I, the manual control dial 8 is moved axially against the compression of the biasing spring I1, and after disengagement of its worm wheel 9, may be rotated to the desired position manually. A detent I8 is provided for preventing re-engagement of the worm wheel 9 in a manner and for a purpose to be described.

As pointed out above, the motor I4 is provided for adjusting the position of the cam shaft I after the torpedo is mounted in the tube A. To control operation of the motor I4, an adjustable precision-wound potentiometer I9 is mounted on the end of the camshaft I in such manner that its movable contact carrying arm is rotatable with the cam shaft I. The potentiometer I 9 forms one part of a Wheatstone bridge, the other part of which is formed by an identical precisionwound potentiometer 2I having a manually movable contact 22. The bridg circuit comprising the potentiometers I9 and 2| is energized from the D. C. supply through the 400 cycle oscillator as illustrated. When the manual control device 22 is moved from the position shown in Fig. 2, an unbalance current will flow through the bridge circuit and be fed through the amplifier and relays, as shown, to the power relays which will connect the armature terminals of the motor I4 so as to effect rotation of the cam shaft I and contact carrying arm 20 to a position in which the bridge unbalance is removed and the motor l4 stopped. The motor I4 and its bridge circuit control provide a form of follow-up construction by which the position of the cam shaft I may be remotely controlled. This form of follow-up control is Well known in the art, and forms no part per se of this invention, any other form of follow-up control being employable for this purpose.

As also pointed out above, the position of the cam shaft I may be adjusted through the manually operable dial 8 before the torpedo is placed in the firing tube. Assuming that the manual dial has been set for 1,500 yards, and the torpedo placed in the firing tube, the setting of the cam shaft I may thereafter be increased or decreased through operation of the remotely located and manually adjustable member 22. For all settings above zero yards, the cam 2 will be in a position maintaining the switch 5 open. For all positions above approximately 500 yards, the cam 3 will be in a position with the switch 6 open. For a setting of 4,000 yards or over, the cam 4 will be in a position closing the switch 1. With an initial setting of greater than 500 yards, the torpedo drive motor C will operate upon firing of the torpedo to drive the centrifugal clutch I 3 which will then function to drive the gear train, comprising the elements 9 through I2, to return the cam shaft and dial 8 to the position shown in Fig. 2.

Upon reaching this zero position, the cam 2 will permit the switch 5 to close and connect the acoustic tracking mechanism in operative relation to the control mechanism F, and such mechanism will then be operative to direct the travel of a torpedo to its target. The switch 5 will also arm the eXploder through control relays. The range is initially selected so that the torpedo Will be adjacent its target before the acoustic tracking means takes over control. By properly selecting the range, the control device of this invention enables the acoustic tracking means to direct the torpedo to a selected target in a group of targets and also enables th firing of a torpedo with acoustic tracking mechanism under and beyond a friendly ship. By enabling the acoustic tracking mechanism to take over at a predetermined point in the path of travel of the torpedo, the tracking mechanism will be effective to direct the torpedo to the closest target at such point in its path, thereby providing the selecting feature and also preventing the return of the torpedo to the ship from which it was fired.

It is undesirable for the acoustic tracking mechanism to take over when the torpedo is within a given distance, for example, about 500 yards, since enabling such mechanism at such a short range may result in the torpedo being returned to the ship from which it was fired. In order to prevent this, the detent device I8 is provided for preventing manual setting of the cam shaft i at ranges less than 500 yards. If it is attempted to manually set the dial 8 below 500 yards, the device It will function, in a manner to be described, to prevent re-engagement of the worm wheel 9 with the worm I0, and thus the clutch I3will be ineffective to rotate the shaft I to its zero position with consequent closure of the switch 5. Thus, it will be seen that in such case the acoustic tracking mechanism will not be rendered operative.

Assuming that, through remote control by the manually adjustable member 122 after the torpedo is in the firing tube, the setting is run down to below 400 or 500 yards prior to firing then the cam 3 will have operated to close the'switch 6. The switch 6 is connected in the main control circuit for the motor C and is effective to prevent energization of the motor C when the initial setting is less than 400 or 500 yards. In such case, when the torpedo is fired with a setting of less than 400 to 500 yards, the main motor C will not pick up and the torpedo will be rendered inoperative upon firing with no danger to the ship from which it is fired. When the torpedo is fired with a setting of greater than 500 yards, it will be noted that the switch 6 will close after the torpedo is fired. However, in such a case, closure of the switch 9 will have no effect on the operation of the torpedo since the motor C will have been energized previously through its normal control circuits. It will thus be seen that the switch 6 and cam 3 function mainly as a protective device to'theship from which the torpedo is fired. A stop 23 is'employed to prevent movement of the control device 22 normally to a setting of less than 500 yards. With' employment of the stop 23, the cam 3 and switch 6 pro-.- vide a precautionary measure in the event that the setting of the member 22 is forced beyond its stop member 23, or that the remote control device J functions improperly.

The cam 4 and switch I are provided for auxiliary control features. Such control features are not brought into force unless the initial'setting is at the maximum range of .the torpedo, illustrated this caseas being 4,000 yards. I

In Figs. 3 through 9, there is a detailed show: ing of, the control device G. In this showing, the numeralsjemployed in the description of Fig. 2 have been employed to designate like parts. Referring to Figs. 3, 5 and 8, it will be noted that the control device comprises a casting 24 in which the cam shaft I is journalled and on which the switches 5, B and I are mounted. Each of the switches 5, 6 and I is provided with a spring biased arm 25 carrying a cam'following'roller 26 for engagement with its associated cam surface on the cams 2, 3 and i. The cable connections are made through cable plugs 2! carried by the casting 24.

Referring to Fig. 9, it will be noted thatthe worm gear I2 is driven from the control 'motor [4 through a tang and slot flexible coupling, indicated as a whole, by the numeral 28. I This figure also illustrates the construction of the centrifugal. clutch [3 which comprisesa driven member 29 connected to the shaft carrying the worm gear I2 for rotation therewith. The driven member 29 carries lugs 30 for engagement with clutch operating members 31 pivotally mounted on the stud shaft ,32 connected tothe drive shaft of the motor C. Each of the pivotally mounted members 3| is provided with a centrifugal weight 33 and a spring .35 is provided for maintaining the weights in the position shown in Fig. 9. When the torpedois being driven by the motor C, the centrifugal weights 33 will-be rotated at high speed and will be moved outwardly against action of the spring 35, and themenrbers 31 will be moved pivotally into positive engagement with the lugs 30. Rotation of the shaft 32 will then be efiective to rotate the driven member 29. and the worm gear 12; This rotation will be transmitted'through the gear train-to the cam shaft I to move such shaft to the zero position illustrated in Fig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 6, it will be noted that the worm wheel 9 has a portion of its gear teeth out out as at 35. These gear teeth are cut out to prevent movement of the cam shaft below the zero and above the 4,000 yard positions. The worm gear 9 carries pins as engageable with a leaf spring 31' mounted on the casting 24 for positively biasing the cam shaft I and wheel 9 to a position ready for its gear teeth to engage with the worm gear I0 whenever the Worm wheel 9 is in either of its extreme positions.

Referring to Fig. 7, there is illustrated a detailed showing of the detent l8 carried by the cam shaft l for preventing manual setting of the shaft 1 in a position less than 500 yards. In this showing, the detent mechanism comprises a body member 38 having an opening 39 therein. In the opening is mounted a pawl 40 which is biased radially outwardly by a spring M. The pawl 40 cooperates with a member 1-2 to prevent manual setting below 500 yards. As pointed out above, to manually set the cam shaft, it is necessary to move manually rotatable member 8 axially to the right as viewed in Fig. 2 to disengage the worm wheel 9 from its worm gear I0. Upon effecting such disengagement, the manually operable member may be moved to any position desired. Whenever such axial disengagement is effected, the pawl 40 will project out of the opening 89. If the setting is less than 500 yards, the pawl :30 will engage with the member i2 and prevent axial movement of the shaft [8 to the left as viewed in Fig. 2 under the bias of the spring IT. The

worm wheel 9 will thus not be engaged with the worm gear l0, and subsequent' operation of the torpedo will effect no operation-of the shaft I. "For settings greater than 500 yards, the gear re-engagement will be effected, and upon subsequent operation of the torpedo and rotation of theshaft the pawl ifi'will be depressed by the member 42 into its opening against the action of the spring 4H, thus permitting rotation of the shaft i to its zero position. I From the foregoing, it will be apparent that there is provided by this invention a control device which is efiective to render operative the torpedo control mechanism and exploder mechanism at a predetermined point in its path of travel toward a target. The range at which the control and exploder mechanisms arerendered operative may be-adjusted before or after the torpedo is mounted in its firing tube. It will also be apparent that'the control device of this invention provides safeguards against the setting of short ranges at which rendering operative the acoustic control mechanism would endanger the ship from which the torpedo is being fired.

It is tobe'understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing; from the spirit of the invention or the scope ofgthe subjoined claims. V

We claim as our inventioni 1. In a control device for torpedoes having a rotatable propelling mechanism, the combination of an electric switch, a cam movable to and from a position operating said switch, gearing for movingsaid cam, shaft means for driving said gearing, means for driving said shaft means to operate'said gearing and move said cam to a predetermined position, and a centrifugal clutch responsive to rotation of said propelling mechanism for connecting said shaft means to the torpedo propelling mechanism.

2. In a control device for torpedoes having propelling mechanism, the combination of an electric switch, a cam movable to and from a position operating said switch, gearing for moving said cam to its operating position, and driving mechanism for said gearing comprising a centrifugal clutch for connecting the gearing to the torpedo propelling mechanism and a motor for operating the gearing to adjust the position of the cam with respect to said switch, said clutch being operable to drive said gearing When the torpedo is being driven by its propelling mechanism, and being disengaged at other times to permit driving of the gearing and setting of the cam by said motor.

3. In a control device for torpedoes having propelling mechanism, the combination of an electric switch, a cam movable to and from a position operating said switch, gearing for moving said cam to its operating position, and driving mechanism for said gearing comprising a centrifugal clutch for connecting the gearing to the torpedo propelling mechanism, a motor for operating the gearing to adjust the position of the cam with respect to said switch, said clutch being operable to drive said gearing when the torpedo is being driven by its propelling mechanism, and being disengaged at other times to permit driving of the gearing and setting of the cam by said motor, and a connection for disengaging said cam from at least a part of said gearing to provide for manual adjustment of the position of said cam with respect tosaid switch independently of said motor. v

4. In a control device for torpedoes having propelling mechanism, the combination of an electric switch, a cam movable to and from a position operating said switch, gearing for moving said cam to its operating position, and driving mechanism for said gearing comprising a centrifugal clutch for connecting the gearing to the torpedo propelling mechanism, a motor for operating the gearing to adjust the position of the cam with respect to said switch, said clutch being operable to drive said gearing when the torpedo is being driven by its propelling mechanism, and being disengaged at other times to permit driving of the gearin and setting of the cam by said motor, a connection for disengaging said cam for at least a part of said gearing to provide for manual adjustment of the position of said cam with respect to said switch independently of said motor, and a detent for preventing re-engagement of said cam when it is manually set to a position with its switch operating portion within a predetermined distance from said switch.

5. In a control device for torpedoes having electric control means including mechanism for propelling it through the water and automatic tracking means for directing its travel to a target, the combination of a plurality of switches for operating said control means, a cam shaft having cams thereon for operating said switches, a gear train for driving said cam shaft, a centrifugal clutch for connecting said gear train to the torpedo propelling mechanism to thereby move said cam shaft in accordance with the torpedo travel, and a reversible electric motor for driving said gear train to adjust the position of said cams with respect to said switches, said clutch being operable to drive said gear train when the torpedo is being operated by its propolling mechanism but being otherwise disengaged to allow for adjusting the position of said cams by said motor.

6. A control device as claimed in claim 5 together with a splined connection in said cam shaft permitting axial movement of apart thereof and at least one of said cams for operatively disengaging the cam shaft from said gear train, and a manually movable member for rotating said cam shaft when thus disengaged from the gear train to adjust the position of said cams with respect to said switches independently of said gear train.

7. A control device as claimed in claim 5-to-' gether with a remote control for said motor including a control member positioned remote from said motor and movable to effect operation of said motor to adjust the position of said cam shaft.

8. A control device as claimed in claim 5 together with a remote control for said motor com prising a bridge circuit having a pair of adjustable potentiometers in the arms thereof, one of said potentiometers being connected to said cam shaft for movement therewith, the other of said potentiometers being manually adjustable, and means utilizin unbalance currents in the bridge circuit to operate said motor to move the cam shaft and potentiometer connected thereto whereby said last-named potentiometer follows the movement of the manually adjustable potentiometer.

THOMAS A. DALY. HARRY A. GILL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 894,838 Leavitt Aug. 4, 1908 1,431,143 Hammond Oct. 3, 1922 1,527,775 Bevans et al Feb. 24, 1925 1,855,422 Roussey Apr. 26, 1932 

